The man was out boating with his girlfriend, Heather Mitchell, and her daughter and step-daughter, both 12-years-old, according to Mitchell. The girls, who had been wearing life jackets, had been swimming for a few hours when the wind became stronger, Mitchell said.

Despite the life jackets, high waves overcame the girls, and Jelley jumped in the lake to try and save them, Mitchell said. He managed to push the girls close enough to the boat so they could climb aboard, but he went under himself. He was not wearing a life jacket, Mitchell said.